Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Avoid the 14 Ventura County Deploys DUI Enforcement Operations During Summer Campaign
DATE/TIME:	August 21 to September 7, 2015
LOCATION:	County of Ventura
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator, (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
As summer winds down, the Ventura County Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force is ramping up its enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on drunk driving. The 18-day, high-visibility campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, is a partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety to curb impaired driving and save lives. From August 21 to September 7 (Labor Day), law enforcement partners in Ventura County, across the state and nationwide will show zero tolerance for drunk driving. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of driving drunk, coupled with checkpoints and increased officers on the road, aim to drastically reduce the toll of drunk driving.

In 2013, there were 10,076 people killed in drunk driving crashes, almost a third of all traffic fatalities according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In California that year, 867 people died in drunk driving collisions according to NHTSA. Thirty-eight percent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend that year involved drunk drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. More than a quarter (27 percent) of the crash fatalities that occurred on Labor Day weekend involved drivers with BACs of .15 or higher – almost twice the illegal limit.

The County’s DUI Task Force kicked off last night with DUI/Driver’s License checkpoints in the City of Simi Valley. Operations over the next 18 days will include the following:

August 22 – DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, City of Thousand Oaks
August 28 – DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, City of Oxnard
September 4 – DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, City of Ventura

In addition to these checkpoints, agencies across Ventura County have planned several DUI saturation patrols, DUI warrant operations and two court sting operations. The California Highway Patrol will deploy all available officers onto freeways and county roads as part of their Maximum Enforcement Period over the three-day holiday weekend.

Law enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.

So this August and year-round, remember that there’s no excuse for drunk or impaired driving. If you choose to break the law, police, sheriff and CHP officials will see you before you see them. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Ventura County Avoid DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone; Report Drunk Drivers! – Call 9-1-1.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:August 22, 2015 / 0845 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Vehicle Arson

DATE/TIME:

10/19/2015/0151 hours

LOCATION:

Collins Street at Via Estrada Street

VICTIM(S):

Name Withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Unknown

WITNESS(ES):

None

SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):

Unknown

LOSS:

Undetermined

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Jeff McGreevy

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Detective Sergeant Mike Gregson
(805)385-7605

DETAILS:On 10/19/15 at 0151 hours, an Oxnard police officer noticed smoke near the Oxnard Auto Center and drove to the area to investigate. The officer located a vehicle that was on fire behind the one of the dealerships parked on Collins Street. The Oxnard Fire Department responded and quickly extinguished the fire. There was no damage to any structures and no persons were injured. An arson investigation is currently underway to try and determine the cause of the fire. A records check on the burned van revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen earlier this week.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/19/2015, 0310 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	12/28/2015 @ 11:50 PM
LOCATION:	200 Block of East Yucca Street
VICTIM(S):	22 year old male, Oxnard resident (name withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	—
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Mike Adair, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Mike Adair, Commander [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 12/28/2015, at approximately 2350 hours, officers responded to the 200 block of East Yucca Street regarding a shooting victim. Officers found a 22-year old male Oxnard resident had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the lower half of his body. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

The suspect(s) fled the scene in an unknown direction and officers are continuing the investigation.

Persons with additional information may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805)982-7070, or contact Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. Persons can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 12/29/2015 / 0200 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Gang Member in Possession of a Loaded Handgun
DATE/TIME: January 22, 2016 / 4:44 p.m.
LOCATION: Pine Street and Commercial Avenue
VICTIM(S): State of California
SUSPECT(S): Adolfo Palazuelos, 24 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY: Christopher Williams, Commander (805) 385-7746 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO: Christopher Williams, Commander (805) 385-7746 [email protected]

DETAILS: On January 22, 2016, at about 4:44 p.m., two patrol officers, working a two-person unit, conducted a traffic stop on Adolfo Palazuelos in the area of Commercial Avenue and Pine Street. Palazuelos is associated with an active criminal street gang and a Post Release Offender. Officers discovered that Palazuelos had a loaded .22 caliber rifle, illegal narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia inside his vehicle. He was arrested for weapons and narcotics violations and booked at the Ventura County Jail.

Palazuelos is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109- the 2011 Public Safety Realignment- which was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent commitment offense, prior convictions are not considered.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 22, 2015 / 9:19 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

DATE/TIME:

Friday, January 22, 2016 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

LOCATION:

City of Oxnard

PREPARED BY:

Senior Officer Jamie Brown

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749
[email protected]

DETAILS:

On Friday, January 22, 2016, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted two DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints in the City of Oxnard. The first checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Pleasant Valley Road east of “C” Street. The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard south of Spur Drive. These locations were chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol related arrests and/or DUI collisions.

The checkpoints resulted in the following:

730 vehicles through
730 drivers screened
Three DUI investigations
Two DUI alcohol arrests
Nine citations issued to unlicensed drivers
Three citations issued to drivers with a suspended/revoked license
26 total citations issued
Five vehicles towed

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle theft and gang injunction arrest
DATE/TIME:	February 10, 2016 / 7:00 pm
LOCATION:	800 block of North Ventura Road
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	David Mendoza Cabanas 25 years old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Released to the registered owner
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Rocky Marquez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Rocky Marquez, (805) 385-7664 [email protected]

DETAILS:On February 10, 2016 at approximately 07:00 p.m., detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Auto Theft Task Force were conducting an investigation into a stolen vehicle in the 800 block of N. Ventura Road, in the City of Oxnard. Detectives observed David Cabanas enter a 1998 Toyota Camry, which had been reported stolen to the Oxnard Police Department earlier in the week. As officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, Cabanas fled on foot, running through several lanes of traffic, until detectives were able to apprehend him as he attempted to scale a fence into the rear yard of a nearby residence. He was also found to be in possession of a knife.

David Cabanas was booked for the unlawful driving of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, resisting arrest and two counts of violating the Civil Gang Injunction.

The Oxnard Police Department Auto Theft Task Force, asks residents to help prevent auto theft in our community by never leaving your keys in your vehicle. The Oxnard Police Department launched the Oxnard Auto Theft Task Force (OATTF) in early 2015. Detectives assigned to this task force proactively locate and arrest those responsible for committing auto thefts in Oxnard. The objective of the OATTF is to reduce the number of stolen vehicles in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement. Anyone with information related to stolen vehicles is encouraged to call 385-7664 and can remain anonymous or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest for Possession of a Loaded Gun / Allowing a loaded gun in a vehicle / Possessing a controlled substance in a jail facility/Under the influence of a controlled substance
DATE/TIME:	February 21, 2016 / 9:50 p.m.
LOCATION:	1900 block of Alexander Street (east alley)
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Juvenile 15 years of age, Oxnard resident Alexis Enrique Bustillos, 21-year-old Oxnard resident Gustavo Cuevas, 21-year-old Oxnard resident
VEHICLE:	Dark Gray 2011 Chevrolet, Impala, 4 – Door
PREPARED BY:	Humberto Jimenez, Sergeant (805) 385-7600 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Humberto Jimenez, Sergeant (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On February 21, 2016, at about 9:50 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a gang fight in the east alley of the 1900 block of Alexander Street.

When officers arrived they observed two subjects fleeing westbound through the residences and a vehicle attempting to leave. Officers conducted a traffic stop and a 15 year old male fled from the vehicle. The juvenile was apprehended without incident a few blocks from the traffic stop. The driver, Alexis Enrique Bustillos, and the passenger, Gustavo Cuevas, were contacted. During the investigation, a loaded .38 revolver handgun was located inside the vehicle.

The Juvenile was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm, outstanding misdemeanor warrants, and for a prior case of assault with a deadly weapon.

Bustillos was arrested for allowing a firearm in his vehicle, and bringing narcotics into a jail facility.

Cuevas was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safetyas part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477.

You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.apx to submit at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 21, 2016 / 11:30 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member in possession of a firearm
DATE/TIME:	2/26/2016 – 9:30pm
LOCATION:	Saivers Rd. and Pleasant Valley Rd.
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Mejia, 23 years of age
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	1996 Honda Accord
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Tim Kelley (805)385-8289

DETAILS:
On February 26, 2016, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit stopped a 1996 Honda Accord for a traffic violation near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Rd. and Saviers Rd. in the City of Oxnard. It was determined that the passenger of the car, Jose Mejia, is currently on probation and is a member of a criminal street gang. During the investigation officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Mejia was determined to have been in possession of the firearm and was arrested for possessing a loaded firearm in public. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member in possession of handgun
DATE/TIME:	March 7, 2016/1950
LOCATION:	Robert Ave and “A” St
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Gilbert Lemos (36 years) Oxnard resident Jessie Cortez (27 years) Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo, 385-7644 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On March 7, 2016 at approximately 1950 hours officers from the Special Enforcement Unit were conducting gang enforcement in the area of Robert Ave and “A” St. While in this area they attempted to contact two known gang members. As officers approached the subjects, Gilbert Lemos attempted to flee on foot. He was detained after a brief foot pursuit. The second subject, Jessie Cortez, who is on parole, was detained without incident. Lemos and Cortez are both on the gang injunction.

Lemos was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun.

Lemos was arrested for several firearm related violations and Cortez was arrested for violation of parole. Lemos and Cortez were also charged with violation of the gang injunction.
Lemos is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – which was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent commitment offense, prior convictions arenot considered.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members in the city. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 7, 2016/2115

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Marijuana cultivation Marijuana Extraction Lab Child endangerment Evidence of Methamphetamine Sales Stolen Property
DATE/TIME:	4-24-14, 1100 hours
LOCATION:	4300 Block Beaumont Ave.
SUSPECT(S):	Duane Fowler 42 years of age Jackie Wagner 33 years of age
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Charles Woodruff
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective James Langford 805 385 7638 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 4-24-14, at about 1100 hours, detectives from the Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotic Street Team served a search warrant at a residence in the 4300 block of Beaumont Avenue after detectives received tips of marijuana being grown at the location.

Detectives contacted suspects Duane Fowler and Jackie Wagner; owners of the home. Detectives located what is referred to as a “marijuana grow” in the residence. Detectives also located evidence of a marijuana extraction lab which is utilized in removing THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) from the marijuana plants and into “wax” form. This process is highly flammable and at times has been known to cause explosions. Detectives also located evidence of sales of methamphetamine and stolen property.

Detectives learned that the couple’s two-year old child was also living in the home under these conditions. Child Family Services responded to the scene.

Detectives also seized numerous rifles, handguns, narcotics and a large amount of cash. Both suspects were arrested and later booked at the Ventura County Jail for numerous felony charges.
In an effort to address the recent increase in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. We are encouraging residents to report crime. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the narcotic hotline at (805) 982-7084. You may also contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 or http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4-25-14 1800 hours